With close to 400 guests, how can we include a dinner without spending $6000?

by Carrie H
(Omaha, NE)

I am getting married in fall of 2010 and our budget is about $8000. With close to 400 guests how can we reduce the cost for a dinner at the reception? We both don't want to cut this part out to save money.

Hi Carrie

Wow! 400 guests is a lot of people to feed!

To feed this many people on a tight budget you will need to be creative.

As your wedding is in the fall you could look at serving spicey pumpkin soup and crusty bread, the soup is cheap to make and the bread you could buy from a local baker or store.

Or think about the style of food that you and your guests love, food from around the world can add an exotic twist to your reception and instead of serving lots you could have small tasters at buffet bars dotted around the room.

Call in as much help as you can to cater for this number, if you can manage to cook the food yourselves you will save a fortune.

Good luck with your plans.

Suz

Comments for With close to 400 guests, how can we include a dinner without spending $6000?

We've had bbqs where we've roasted an entire pig, or side of beef. Roasting your favorite meat isn't as tough as it sounds. You can build a bbq with bricks and make up a cover out of tin - it does work very well. Or...you can always get someone in with a portable bbq that will do this for you.

Then you serve up various salads that can all be made the day before. Add in some baked or boiled potatoes and boiled corn on the cob - really anything you like to add to the meal.

We always included some cut up fruits for desert - this seems to go over well as folks seems to want something light afterwards - if anything at all.